Stolen Women, Captured Hearts (on YouTube)
(Continued from last entry)
Race relations (and sex appeal) aside, this movie is also worthy of psychological and political analysis: to me, I would call it a case of the Stockholm Syndrome - the target (in this case, Anna) bonds with her captor (Tokalah) and she develops sympathy with her abductors because she knew she had to adapt. Add to the confusion was that Tokalah didn't always mistreat her, and neither did all the other Natives (Sarah, on the other hand, wasn't so cooperative or willing to adapt, because she knew she would 'never be Indian').
However, Anna (both in real life, and as a character in the move) found it even harder to readapt to her original home environment, and even her husband, than what Sarah did (or would have) - and her marriage to Daniel would have never been the same. While I understand that many Indigenous people world wide had undergone alot of oppression at the hands of non-Indigenous persons (and hence, I am not out to disparage any Native American 'nation' or any other Indigenous group in general); I also know that it is possible for the 'oppressed' to become 'oppressors' themselves, and there have been many instances of this (and this makes it easier for people to understand the captors from their viewpoint).
Anyhooo, watch the movie and be the judge of what you see - by all means, if you find any of the characters (actors) 'attractive', acknowledge it - the 'sex appeal' of the actors/actresses adds to the overall packaging and clever marketing of the film (alot of female viewers admitted to being attracted to Michael Greyeyes and/or Rodney Grant - both of whom are well-known Indigenous actors in North America). However, as I am educated in the social sciences and/or humanities at University level, I managed see past the stereotypes and was able to critically analyze it and tell it for what it is.
cheers,
Night Owl
Ps For more information, read about the film and Stockholm Syndrome on Wikipedia, and then follow the links to see what Stockholm Syndrome is all about.
PPS And if you (the reader) have been, or know anyone who has experienced Stockholm Syndrome (or any other form of PTSD), it is advisable to seek treatment and/or counselling for it, rather than letting your mind fester and/or causing your loved ones concern as a result.
(Continued from last entry)
Race relations (and sex appeal) aside, this movie is also worthy of psychological and political analysis: to me, I would call it a case of the Stockholm Syndrome - the target (in this case, Anna) bonds with her captor (Tokalah) and she develops sympathy with her abductors because she knew she had to adapt. Add to the confusion was that Tokalah didn't always mistreat her, and neither did all the other Natives (Sarah, on the other hand, wasn't so cooperative or willing to adapt, because she knew she would 'never be Indian').
However, Anna (both in real life, and as a character in the move) found it even harder to readapt to her original home environment, and even her husband, than what Sarah did (or would have) - and her marriage to Daniel would have never been the same. While I understand that many Indigenous people world wide had undergone alot of oppression at the hands of non-Indigenous persons (and hence, I am not out to disparage any Native American 'nation' or any other Indigenous group in general); I also know that it is possible for the 'oppressed' to become 'oppressors' themselves, and there have been many instances of this (and this makes it easier for people to understand the captors from their viewpoint).
Anyhooo, watch the movie and be the judge of what you see - by all means, if you find any of the characters (actors) 'attractive', acknowledge it - the 'sex appeal' of the actors/actresses adds to the overall packaging and clever marketing of the film (alot of female viewers admitted to being attracted to Michael Greyeyes and/or Rodney Grant - both of whom are well-known Indigenous actors in North America). However, as I am educated in the social sciences and/or humanities at University level, I managed see past the stereotypes and was able to critically analyze it and tell it for what it is.
cheers,
Night Owl
Ps For more information, read about the film and Stockholm Syndrome on Wikipedia, and then follow the links to see what Stockholm Syndrome is all about.
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| The 'star attraction' - Michael Greyeyes as 'Tokalah' |
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What is your own take on this situation? How do you rise above the rot?